I purchased the car from Josh "Pacethis" and picked it up on February 2nd, 2008. As many of you know I bought the car on eBay for $6000.00. It is an '88 with an ACE 3800sc Series 1 conversion, Konis, 18x7.5 rims, 5spd, fastback conversion, and most importantly, a C5 dash conversion.

It makes a good starting point for what I have planned - BIG brakes (13" or bigger Corvette, Viper, Porsche or 350z), 3800sc Series 2 conversion, G6 6spd conversion, Archie's widebody kit, rollcage, and finish the interior. Now this is the plan for '08. The trick is I need to come in around $6k for all of this (that is the budget the wife set) and be done in time for the Hilton Head Island track days and concours. By the way, this will be a street, road course, autocross car.

For '09 I want to chop the top, vinyl wrap (I like to change things up to often to paint), and install a killer sound system.

I will need a lot of help from you all for parts sources, diagrams, etc during this build so any is appreciated. I have limited knowledge when it comes to mechanical things but can follow directions well.

The Motor

The Body and Wheels

The Interior

Does anybody make a 13" or 14" brake kit that doesn't ue the '88 calipers?Who makes the best rolcages for Fieros? (yes I know it wilhave to be recut after the chop later).Does Purle Reign have a pricelist?

Thank you in advance for any help and positive comments and suggestions on thi project.------------------1988 Fiero3800SC Series 1 w/5spdCoilovers18's w/PirellisCorvette Dash Mod

Originally posted by War Hammer:Does anybody make a 13" or 14" brake kit that doesn't ue the '88 calipers?

Several options. D1S (13" Corvette), WCF (Viper 13"), Held's 13", and a few homebrews 13". I have D1S 13" on an 88, but D1S is currently having communication issues. You'll save more monies using an homebrew kit (if offered) but I don't know of any issues concerning those kits and neither do I regarding WCFs.

13" weight------------------"Anyone can make a copy of something, it may look good, but never is the real car. Make something from your imagination, something unique, something nobody has, anything is possible and, ideas can become a reality; Archie and the Crew can make your Dreams into a reality."

Will you be widening the rear wheel to use up the space with the wide body?

To post pictures, there is a thing called PIP, which i dont use. I usually take photos, andupload them to photobucket, then i use the [img..] line they provide and paste into a comment.

What do you mean by "vinyl wrap"? Put vinyl wrap on the chopped top? :0

A vinyl wrap is what they use on most race cars today and those vehicles you see covered in advertising graphics all over are usually wraps also. What you do is go to a sign shop that offers them and they cover your car in a special vinyl instead of painting. Around here the retail is around 1K; I know some suppliers so I can get it for around 500-600 depending on the graphics (inks). By utilizing this I can afford to change colors/graphics frequently.

Several options. D1S (13" Corvette), WCF (Viper 13"), Held's 13", and a few homebrews 13". I have D1S 13" on an 88, but D1S is currently having communication issues. You'll save more monies using an homebrew kit (if offered) but I don't know of any issues concerning those kits and neither do I regarding WCFs.

I have 18"s already on it so 14" rotors should fit. As far as where to get the adapters from WCF I hear take way too long. The car has to be rolling (or more apropriately stopping) within 60 days. D1S sounds ok if they are going to get over their communication problems soon. If I can't find an easy solution soon (this week) I'll start creating one witha fab shop.

I have 18"s already on it so 14" rotors should fit. As far as where to get the adapters from WCF I hear take way too long. The car has to be rolling (or more apropriately stopping) within 60 days. D1S sounds ok if they are going to get over their communication problems soon. If I can't find an easy solution soon (this week) I'll start creating one witha fab shop.

Thanks for your input! Keep it coming!

~Paul

You might want to recheck since the Baer 13/14 combo came from a wrecked Corvette with 19/20 combo HRE wheels. Although the 18s might work with the 13" rotor being used, it maybe a different story for the rears.

On top of that you're going to have to choose a clutch ( I modified one that i already had because it only had like 200km's on it) so that will be at least $300 more, and the cost of haveing the flywheel adapter made if you can't do it yourself. For my design it probably would have been over $500 but you could dramatically reduce that by changing the style.

On top of that you're going to have to choose a clutch ( I modified one that i already had because it only had like 200km's on it) so that will be at least $300 more, and the cost of haveing the flywheel adapter made if you can't do it yourself. For my design it probably would have been over $500 but you could dramatically reduce that by changing the style.

Does seem a little daunting. However things seem a little cheaper here in the states. Trannys are only $475 new delivered. But it can be quite expensive if you don't have friends. I will document the expenses when I do it.

OK good news/bad news. I started disassembling the dash today tto see exactly what I have gotten into. It is a little rougher than advertised. There isn't any bracing on the bottom, the gauges were ruined when the previous owner epoxied some vinyl to them, a hydra of wiring, etc. It will take a few days to sort it out but I will perservere. Right now I am looking for a Corvette dash harness so I can finish wiring in the stock switches.

Does seem a little daunting. However things seem a little cheaper here in the states. Trannys are only $475 new delivered. But it can be quite expensive if you don't have friends. I will document the expenses when I do it.

Thanks fir the info!

Paul

I've wanted to do a 6 speed to my car from the time they started showing up as a swap option, but since you need special stuff to adapt it, (it will bolt up sans adapter) I will wait a little. Cost o up fast in for special stuff.

OK good news/bad news. I started disassembling the dash today tto see exactly what I have gotten into. It is a little rougher than advertised. There isn't any bracing on the bottom, the gauges were ruined when the previous owner epoxied some vinyl to them, a hydra of wiring, etc. It will take a few days to sort it out but I will perservere. Right now I am looking for a Corvette dash harness so I can finish wiring in the stock switches.

I'll keep you posted.

~Paul

Lemme know if ya be needin' any assistance. With any luck, I could have your dash rewired in six to eight months tops.

Well I'm referring to how it feels on the low end, where it seems like it's running out of air, and how it performs when you floor it at 60mph. Just the basics

oh, you mean pictures... Well just a few overviews that cover the wiring would be great. If they relocated the coil packs, maybe get a shot of that? As far as the exhaust goes, can you hear the s/c over the engine in the passenger compartment under WOT?

Well I'm referring to how it feels on the low end, where it seems like it's running out of air, and how it performs when you floor it at 60mph. Just the basics

oh, you mean pictures... Well just a few overviews that cover the wiring would be great. If they relocated the coil packs, maybe get a shot of that? As far as the exhaust goes, can you hear the s/c over the engine in the passenger compartment under WOT?

It feels way better on the low end from stock (phenomonally better). I haven't had it up to 60 yet. The motor seems to pull strong up to about 5k. The coils are on the firewall side of the motor (don't know where stock was). I cannot hear the s/c over the exhaust at any speed.

------------------My Web page | The Turbo Super Duty Build.You know that little voice that says it can't be done? I duct-taped its mouth shut and pushed it down a flight of stairs. (Leader of the Insurgency)

Hey Paul, next club meeting you better have lots of pictures. How are you on your budget so far? Hey Rich why so long to rewire Pauls dash?

Joe

I'll try but there is not that much happening to the car right now. I'm just gathering parts so I can start and not have to slow down. If I let that happen I end up stopping for a long time.Rich is having probs at work so he is pretty occupied.

When it is time for body mounting are up for some assistance? I haven't fiberglassed in about 15 years.

Originally posted by War Hammer:I will probably be using 3" hubcentric spacers.

Thanks for the help!

Paul

I hope you're not really considering this. Ditch the 6 speed swap and put the money toward a nice set of wide wheels that will actually fit the widebody without using spacers. Much safer, and will look better.

I hope you're not really considering this. Ditch the 6 speed swap and put the money toward a nice set of wide wheels that will actually fit the widebody without using spacers. Much safer, and will look better.

Spacers are good enough for a Porsche 930, I don't see a problem. The 6 spd may not happen as I may have a Getrag already. If so, those funds will go to the motor.